Record number of journalists entering politics for 2014 India election

A record number of journalists are standing in this year's Indian elections, with nearly all parties fielding candidates from the media.

Almost all mainstream political parties and even smaller ones have fielded journalists from key constituencies in the country hoping their credentials will make a difference this time.

Though the transition from journalism to politics is a familar one, numbers are on the rise, with nearly 20 well-known journalists already standing.

Lawyer Rahul Mehra says the 2014 general elections are proving different than previous polls, drawing more professionals into the political fray.

"You see people not only from the field of journalism, but you see people across the spectrum from professional backgrounds, they all want to be part of it today." he said.

Many of them are supporting anti-corruption and political reform campaigns.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is running an anti-graft campaign has been the most attractive to reporters standing for parliament.

"Those who were sitting on the fringes and who had nothing to do with politics and who thought this is the way India will be, shall be and will always be, are the ones who are so hopeful today and they want to be part of the transformation that is going on." Mr Mehra said.

Making the switch in 2014

Ashish Khetan, a former investigative journalist, is contesting from the prestigious New Delhi parliamentary constituency for the AAP.

He left journalism because he believes there is less space for independent and objective reporting in the Indian media.

"The time has come for all well meaning people to join politics, directly, indirectly, whether contest elections or be the support team of any political party." he said.

Another to join the political battle is author and former Editorial Director of India Today, MJ Akbar.

He used to be loyal to India's ruling Congress party, but switched his support to the opposition BJP.

Mr Akbar says he supports the BJP's prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, and defended his role in deadly sectarian riots in the state of Gujarat in 2002.

"After 10 years I have to admit that to link personal linkages was wrong. We as journalists have no right to go around pretending that we are holier than anyone else." he said.

Media commentator, Rajiv Kaushik says the move into politics is a natural one for many journalists.

"They have played a seminal role in perhaps educating India. They now see themselves as not just reporters but shapers of policy and opinion leaders and they find it more convenient [to do] what politicians are doing." he said.

One journalist who made the journey to the top is also not surprised to see more of his former colleagues moving into politics.

Rajeev Shukla started as a junior reporter in the early 1990s and rose to become a minister in prime minister Manmohan Singh's government.

"Most of them are political journalists; a political journalist to me is a half-politician." he said.

"He mingles and interacts with them and so he thinks politics more than the politicians. So that kind of mind-set encourages them to get into politics and that's why a lot many have entered."

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